The great composers of the 20th century North America
Gould or Kálmán? Cage or Ma? It is difficult for inquiring minds to tackle such abundant fields as classical music and opera, covering 10 centuries of history: there are thousands of composers. Making a selection of musicians, such as a “top 10” for example, is a difficult and subjective exercise. A musical selection is often the expression of personal preferences or artistic opinions, very interesting but also very different according to critics or musicologists, or simply influenced by the context: will an English composer not be instinctively privileged by an English critic?
For example: in France, Charles Gounod, a 19th century French composer, is more easily mentioned than the Norwegian Edvard Grieg, who is more recognized in the world.
Timeline of classical music composers, between 1890 and 2000+ (modern & contemporary era) in North America
Whoever wants to discover classical music or opera does not always have an experienced music lover, an expert or an educator at his or her side to support and guide him or her in these fields. So : Gould (Canadian composer and pianist) or Kálmán (Hungarian-born composer of operettas) ? Barber (American composer (1910-1981)) or Martinů (Czech composer) ? However, the knowledge available about musicians is enormous. It was processed to select the 10, 25, 50... most popular composers around the world, for those living or having lived en North America, between 1890 and 2000+ (modern & contemporary era). And this objectively, and for the first time (soclassiq exclusivity).
Composers rendered as a timeline to bring a little perspective:
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ComposersConductorsLyrical singersPerformers 2021
This timeline is interactive to navigate through the ages , or eras : medieval music, renaissance, baroque music (Bach...), classical period (Mozart...), romantic music (Beethoven...), XXth (Stravinsky), or across continents (with ).
Top 10 classical musiccomposers in North America for the years 1890-2000+
Who are these greatest composers, the most famous over the 1890-2000+ era in North America? The works of these musician have shaped the history of classical music and lyric art. There are those you probably know, or at least by name and the others.
Here are these 10 classical music composers, renowned artists from around the world:
Curious to know their most emblematic works? Just a click away to discover them.
The selections of musicians (classical music composers) proposed by soclassiq are based exclusively on algorithms. The same applies to their works, the performers, the lyrical singers, les orchestras, the conductors and the venues : opera houses, concert halls or festivals.
What about the others? 25, 50 or more?
Summarizing to 10 musician names such a wide and diverse field may seem extreme or too simplistic for those who know classical music and lyrical art well, for those who can easily name 50 or more classical music composers. Goldsmith, Horowitz, Williams, Shore, Stravinsky, Bartók, Gershwin...
At this time, soclassiq has listed more than 18000 composers. So here is a selection of some composers for the modern & contemporary era, in North America, widely recognized around the world:
Note:
- This selection may include highly reputed artists and musicians who have occasionally devoted themselves to classical music and not exclusively.
- It may also include composers who have been or are concert performers, some more renowned for their careers than for the work they have left behind.
Paul AbrahamThe great composers of the 20th century
1892-1960 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Maurice AbravanelThe great composers of the 20th century
1903-1993 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
John Luther AdamsThe great composers of the 20th century
age 68 (20th century)
Composer
John Coolidge AdamsThe great composers of the 20th century
age 73 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Samuel AdlerThe great composers of the 20th century
age 92 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Theodor W. AdornoThe great composers of the 20th century
1903-1969 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Leroy AndersonThe great composers of the 20th century
1908-1975 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
George AntheilThe great composers of the 20th century
1900-1959 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Dominick ArgentoThe great composers of the 20th century
1927-2019 (20th century)
Composer
Desi ArnazThe great composers of the 20th century
1917-1986 (20th century)
Conductor, Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer
Milton BabbittThe great composers of the 20th century
1916-2011 (20th century)
Composer
Angelo BadalamentiThe great composers of the 20th century
age 83 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Samuel Osborne BarberThe great composers of the 20th century
1910-1981 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
MasterpiecesComplete works
John BarryThe great composers of the 20th century
1933-2011 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Béla BartókThe great composers of the 20th century
1881-1945 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
MasterpiecesComplete works
Amy BeachThe great composers of the 20th century
1867-1944 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Joshua BellThe great composers of the 20th century
age 53 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Robert Russell BennettThe great composers of the 20th century
1894-1981 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Cathy BerberianThe great composers of the 20th century
1925-1983 (20th century)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer
Elmer BernsteinThe great composers of the 20th century
1922-2004 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Leonard BernsteinThe great composers of the 20th century
1918-1990 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Marc BlitzsteinThe great composers of the 20th century
1905-1964 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Ernest BlochThe great composers of the 20th century
1880-1959 (20th century)
Composer
William BolcomThe great composers of the 20th century
age 82 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Victor BorgeThe great composers of the 20th century
1909-2000 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Paul BowlesThe great composers of the 20th century
1910-1999 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Glenn BrancaThe great composers of the 20th century
1948-2018 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Bruce BroughtonThe great composers of the 20th century
age 75 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Leo BrouwerThe great composers of the 20th century
1939-2003 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Earle BrownThe great composers of the 20th century
1926-2002 (20th century)
Composer
Adolf BuschThe great composers of the 20th century
1891-1952 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Juventino Rosas CadenasThe great composers of the 20th century
1868-1894 (Romantic)
Conductor & Composer
John CageThe great composers of the 20th century
1912-1992 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Hoagy CarmichaelThe great composers of the 20th century
1899-1981 (20th century)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer
John Alden CarpenterThe great composers of the 20th century
1876-1951 (20th century)
Composer
Elliott CarterThe great composers of the 20th century
1908-2012 (20th century)
Composer
Mario Castelnuovo-TedescoThe great composers of the 20th century
1895-1968 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
George Whitefield ChadwickThe great composers of the 20th century
1854-1931 (Romantic)
Composer
Carlos ChávezThe great composers of the 20th century
1899-1978 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Gloria CoatesThe great composers of the 20th century
age 82 (20th century)
Composer
Aaron CoplandThe great composers of the 20th century
1900-1990 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
MasterpiecesComplete works
Anton CoppolaThe great composers of the 20th century
1917-2020 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Carmine CoppolaThe great composers of the 20th century
1910-1991 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
John CoriglianoThe great composers of the 20th century
age 82 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Henry CowellThe great composers of the 20th century
1897-1965 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
George CrumbThe great composers of the 20th century
age 91 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Walter DamroschThe great composers of the 20th century
1862-1950 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Bella DavidovichThe great composers of the 20th century
age 92 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Carl DavisThe great composers of the 20th century
age 84 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Don DavisThe great composers of the 20th century
age 63 (20th century)
Composer
David DiamondThe great composers of the 20th century
1915-2005 (20th century)
Composer
Antal DorátiThe great composers of the 20th century
1906-1988 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Vernon DukeThe great composers of the 20th century
1903-1969 (20th century)
Composer
Alfred EinsteinThe great composers of the 20th century
1880-1952 (20th century)
Composer
Hanns EislerThe great composers of the 20th century
1898-1962 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Danny ElfmanThe great composers of the 20th century
age 67 (20th century)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer
Morton FeldmanThe great composers of the 20th century
1926-1987 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Arthur FiedlerThe great composers of the 20th century
1894-1979 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Carlisle FloydThe great composers of the 20th century
age 94 (20th century)
Composer
Lukas FossThe great composers of the 20th century
1922-2009 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
David FosterThe great composers of the 20th century
age 71 (20th century)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer
Ivan GalamianThe great composers of the 20th century
1903-1981 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Diamanda GalásThe great composers of the 20th century
age 65 (20th century)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer
George GershwinThe great composers of the 20th century
1898-1937 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
MasterpiecesComplete works
Michael GiacchinoThe great composers of the 20th century
age 53 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Philip GlassThe great composers of the 20th century
age 84 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
MasterpiecesComplete works
Leopold GodowskyThe great composers of the 20th century
1870-1938 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Elliot GoldenthalThe great composers of the 20th century
age 66 (20th century)
Composer
Jerry GoldsmithThe great composers of the 20th century
1929-2004 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Morton GouldThe great composers of the 20th century
1913-1996 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Glenn GouldThe great composers of the 20th century
1932-1982 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Percy GraingerThe great composers of the 20th century
1882-1961 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Alexander GretchaninovThe great composers of the 20th century
1864-1956 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Charles GriffesThe great composers of the 20th century
1884-1920 (20th century)
Composer
Henry Kimball HadleyThe great composers of the 20th century
1871-1937 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Marc-André HamelinThe great composers of the 20th century
age 59 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Marvin HamlischThe great composers of the 20th century
1944-2012 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
W. C. HandyThe great composers of the 20th century
1873-1958 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Howard HansonThe great composers of the 20th century
1896-1981 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Roy HarrisThe great composers of the 20th century
1898-1979 (20th century)
Composer
Victor HerbertThe great composers of the 20th century
1859-1924 (Romantic)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Bernard HerrmannThe great composers of the 20th century
1911-1975 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Paul HindemithThe great composers of the 20th century
1895-1963 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Josef HofmannThe great composers of the 20th century
1876-1957 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
James HornerThe great composers of the 20th century
1953-2015 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Vladimir HorowitzThe great composers of the 20th century
1903-1989 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Alan HovhanessThe great composers of the 20th century
1911-2000 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
James Newton HowardThe great composers of the 20th century
age 69 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Karel HusaThe great composers of the 20th century
1921-2016 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Eugene IstominThe great composers of the 20th century
1925-2003 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Charles IvesThe great composers of the 20th century
1874-1954 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Byron JanisThe great composers of the 20th century
age 92 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Norman Dello JoioThe great composers of the 20th century
1913-2008 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Scott JoplinThe great composers of the 20th century
1868-1917 (Romantic)
Performer & Composer
Emmerich KálmánThe great composers of the 20th century
1882-1953 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Jānis KalniņšThe great composers of the 20th century
1904-2000 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Ramin KarimlooThe great composers of the 20th century
age 42 (20th century)
Lyrical singer & Composer
Jerome KernThe great composers of the 20th century
1885-1945 (20th century)
Composer
Leon KirchnerThe great composers of the 20th century
1919-2009 (20th century)
Composer
Erich Wolfgang KorngoldThe great composers of the 20th century
1897-1957 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
MasterpiecesComplete works
Serge KoussevitzkyThe great composers of the 20th century
1874-1951 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Louis KrasnerThe great composers of the 20th century
1903-1995 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Fritz KreislerThe great composers of the 20th century
1875-1962 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Ernst KrenekThe great composers of the 20th century
1900-1991 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Giorgi LatsabidzeThe great composers of the 20th century
age 42 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Morten LauridsenThe great composers of the 20th century
age 77 (20th century)
Composer
Calixa LavalléeThe great composers of the 20th century
1842-1891 (Romantic)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Ernesto LecuonaThe great composers of the 20th century
1896-1963 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Michel LegrandThe great composers of the 20th century
1932-2019 (20th century)
Conductor, Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer
Oscar LevantThe great composers of the 20th century
1906-1972 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Kate LiuThe great composers of the 20th century
age 26 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Charles Martin LoefflerThe great composers of the 20th century
1861-1935 (Romantic)
Performer & Composer
Frederick LoeweThe great composers of the 20th century
1901-1988 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Otto LueningThe great composers of the 20th century
1900-1996 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Arkady LuxemburgThe great composers of the 20th century
age 81 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Yo-Yo MaThe great composers of the 20th century
age 65 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Lorin MaazelThe great composers of the 20th century
1930-2014 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Edward MacDowellThe great composers of the 20th century
1860-1908 (Romantic)
Performer & Composer
Alma MahlerThe great composers of the 20th century
1879-1964 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Henry ManciniThe great composers of the 20th century
1924-1994 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Arturo MárquezThe great composers of the 20th century
age 70 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Wynton MarsalisThe great composers of the 20th century
age 59 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Bohuslav MartinůThe great composers of the 20th century
1890-1959 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Eduardo MataThe great composers of the 20th century
1942-1995 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Dimitri MitropoulosThe great composers of the 20th century
1896-1960 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Gabriela MonteroThe great composers of the 20th century
age 50 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Nico MuhlyThe great composers of the 20th century
age 39 (20th century)
Composer
Conlon NancarrowThe great composers of the 20th century
1912-1997 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Randy NewmanThe great composers of the 20th century
age 77 (20th century)
Conductor, Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer
Ervin NyiregyháziThe great composers of the 20th century
1903-1987 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Ignacy Jan PaderewskiThe great composers of the 20th century
1860-1941 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
John Knowles PaineThe great composers of the 20th century
1839-1906 (Romantic)
Composer
Horatio ParkerThe great composers of the 20th century
1863-1919 (Romantic)
Composer
Harry PartchThe great composers of the 20th century
1901-1974 (20th century)
Composer
Gregor PiatigorskyThe great composers of the 20th century
1903-1976 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Walter PistonThe great composers of the 20th century
1894-1976 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Manuel PonceThe great composers of the 20th century
1886-1948 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
André PrevinThe great composers of the 20th century
1929-2019 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Carlos PueblaThe great composers of the 20th century
1917-1989 (20th century)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer
Sergei RachmaninoffThe great composers of the 20th century
1873-1943 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
MasterpiecesComplete works
Steve ReichThe great composers of the 20th century
age 84 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Fritz ReinerThe great composers of the 20th century
1888-1963 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Silvestre RevueltasThe great composers of the 20th century
1899-1940 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Wallingford RieggerThe great composers of the 20th century
1885-1961 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Terry RileyThe great composers of the 20th century
age 85 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
George RochbergThe great composers of the 20th century
1918-2005 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Richard RodgersThe great composers of the 20th century
1902-1979 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Bernard RogersThe great composers of the 20th century
1893-1968 (20th century)
Composer
Sigmund RombergThe great composers of the 20th century
1887-1951 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Miklós RózsaThe great composers of the 20th century
1907-1995 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Carl RugglesThe great composers of the 20th century
1876-1971 (20th century)
Composer
Curt SachsThe great composers of the 20th century
1881-1959 (20th century)
Composer
Lalo SchifrinThe great composers of the 20th century
age 88 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Thomas SchippersThe great composers of the 20th century
1930-1977 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Arnold SchoenbergThe great composers of the 20th century
1874-1951 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
MasterpiecesComplete works
Gunther SchullerThe great composers of the 20th century
1925-2015 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
William SchumanThe great composers of the 20th century
1910-1992 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Ruth Crawford SeegerThe great composers of the 20th century
1901-1953 (20th century)
Composer
Roger SessionsThe great composers of the 20th century
1896-1985 (20th century)
Composer
Anoushka ShankarThe great composers of the 20th century
age 39 (20th century)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer
Edward ShearmurThe great composers of the 20th century
age 54 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Howard ShoreThe great composers of the 20th century
age 74 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Alexander SilotiThe great composers of the 20th century
1863-1945 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Leonard SlatkinThe great composers of the 20th century
age 76 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Nicolas SlonimskyThe great composers of the 20th century
1894-1995 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Dang Thai SonThe great composers of the 20th century
age 62 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Stephen SondheimThe great composers of the 20th century
age 90 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
John Philip SousaThe great composers of the 20th century
1854-1932 (Romantic)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Max SteinerThe great composers of the 20th century
1888-1971 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Jim SteinmanThe great composers of the 20th century
age 73 (20th century)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer
Eduard SteuermannThe great composers of the 20th century
1892-1964 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Fritz StiedryThe great composers of the 20th century
1883-1968 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
William Grant StillThe great composers of the 20th century
1895-1978 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Igor StravinskyThe great composers of the 20th century
1882-1971 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
MasterpiecesComplete works
Frank Van der StuckenThe great composers of the 20th century
1858-1929 (Romantic)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Zoltán SzékelyThe great composers of the 20th century
1903-2001 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
George SzellThe great composers of the 20th century
1897-1970 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Albert SzirmaiThe great composers of the 20th century
1880-1967 (20th century)
Composer
Alexander TcherepninThe great composers of the 20th century
1899-1977 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Michael Tilson ThomasThe great composers of the 20th century
age 76 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Randall ThompsonThe great composers of the 20th century
1899-1984 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Virgil ThomsonThe great composers of the 20th century
1896-1989 (20th century)
Conductor & Composer
Dimitri TiomkinThe great composers of the 20th century
1894-1979 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
David TudorThe great composers of the 20th century
1926-1996 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Brian TylerThe great composers of the 20th century
age 48 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Alexander UninskyThe great composers of the 20th century
1910-1972 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Rufus WainwrightThe great composers of the 20th century
age 47 (20th century)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer
Kurt WeillThe great composers of the 20th century
1900-1950 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Jaromír WeinbergerThe great composers of the 20th century
1896-1967 (20th century)
Composer
Chou Wen-chungThe great composers of the 20th century
1923-2019 (20th century)
Composer
John WilliamsThe great composers of the 20th century
age 88 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Paul WittgensteinThe great composers of the 20th century
1887-1961 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
Stefan WolpeThe great composers of the 20th century
1902-1972 (20th century)
Composer
Charles WuorinenThe great composers of the 20th century
1938-2020 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
Christopher YoungThe great composers of the 20th century
age 62 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
La Monte YoungThe great composers of the 20th century
age 85 (20th century)
Composer
Efrem ZimbalistThe great composers of the 20th century
1889-1985 (20th century)
Conductor, Performer & Composer
John ZornThe great composers of the 20th century
age 67 (20th century)
Performer & Composer
See also...
Timelines : Composers
- 10 centuries of classical music
- Europe * North America * South America * Asia * Oceania * Africa
- The beginnings of classical music, 1000 ... 1500
- The rise of classical music, 1500 ... 2000
- Europe * North America * South America * Asia * Oceania * Africa
- Medieval * Renaissance * Baroque * Classical * Romantic * XXe
- Romantic : Europe * North America * South America * Asia * Oceania * Africa
- XXe : Europe * North America * South America * Asia * Oceania * Africa
- 1400 - 1500 : The 15th-century classical music composers
- 1500 - 1600 : The 16th-century classical music composers
- 1600 - 1700 : The 17th-century classical music composers + ( 1600 - 1650 ) + ( 1650 - 1700 )
- 1700 - 1800 : The 18th-century classical music composers + ( 1700 - 1750 ) + ( 1750 - 1800 )
- 1800 - 1900 : The 19th-century classical music composers
- Europe * North America * South America * Asia * Oceania * Africa
- 1800 - 1850 : Europe * North America * South America * Asia * Oceania * Africa
- 1850 - 1900 : Europe * North America * South America * Asia * Oceania * Africa
- 1900 - 2000 : The 20th-century classical music composers
- Europe * North America * South America * Asia * Oceania * Africa
- 1900 - 1950 : Europe * North America * South America * Asia * Oceania * Africa
- 1950 - 2000 : Europe * North America * South America * Asia * Oceania * Africa
Indexes
- All composers : by era * by country
- by alphabetical order : A * B * C * D * E * F * G * H * I * J * K * L * M * N * O * P * Q * R * S * T * U * V * W * X * Y * Z
- Young artists (Composers)
Other timelines
Commemorations 2021, 2022, ...
Last update : 2021-02-01